Intervention `should go on'

Rebecca Lollback

24Jun08

AN Aboriginal woman who lost three brothers to alcohol abuse has called for the Federal Government's intervention to be continued.

Bess Price is originally from Yuendumu but now lives in Alice Springs.

She said the way Aborigines lived in town camps and on communities was not acceptable.

She said: ``They can't go on forever living like this no jobs, drinking and fighting. The intervention was a good idea. It was a long time coming.

``I have relatives in the town camps. I lost three brothers to grog. One of my nieces  she was 21 died because of alcohol.

``I tried to talk to my brothers. They knew it wasn't the right way to live.

``But they were stuck in a rut. They thought it was normal and they didn't know how to change. They were breathing that way of life every day.

``The people who oppose the intervention are scared that other people will find out what it's really like to live in the camps and communities.

``The truth is that the intervention is making a big difference.''

Ms Price said she had seen positive changes at Yuendumu and at Little Sisters Camp.

She said: ``I remember when people used to be drunk all over the place and fighting. But now it's peaceful. People can sleep at night.

``Income management has helped people put food in the fridge.

``There's a school nutrition program at Yuendumu.

``Most people in the communities are for the intervention. We need it to continue.

``I really thank (former indigenous affairs minister) Mal Brough for what he did. It was very brave. But at least he had the guts to stand up and say that things had to change.''

Ms Price also said Tangentyere Council should be ashamed of its failure to help the town camp residents.

She said: ``Tangentyere should be done away with and the Town Council should be looking after the camps.

``It would encourage people to live in harmony because we would all be a part of Alice Springs.''